I maybe wrong but I believe it's only the England men's team who don't get appearance fees playing for England (it goes direct to an FA charity), but let's put this in context,
male footballers in the Premier League earn £3 million a year on average or approx £50,000 a week. Most of the England players earn substantially more than than that.

On top of that, men get multi million £ sponsorship deals and endorsements for representing their countries, plus the huge prize money that is on offer to the male players compared to the women. So while they don't get appearance fees, they still earn millions.

At this moment in time, the money the vast majority of female players get from representing their country is a significant proportion of their income, for men it is a tiny fraction. There is no comparison imo.

Just call me Baz

I maybe wrong but I believe it's only the England men's team who don't get appearance fees playing for England (it goes direct to an FA charity), but let's put this in context,
male footballers in the Premier League earn £3 million a year on average or approx £50,000 a week. Most of the England players earn substantially more than than that.

On top of that, men get multi million £ sponsorship deals and endorsements for representing their countries, plus the huge prize money that is on offer to the male players compared to the women. So while they don't get appearance fees, they still earn millions.

At this moment in time, the money the vast majority of female players get from representing their country is a significant proportion of their income, for men it is a tiny fraction. There is no comparison imo.

So the players good enough to play for the national team should get paid but the others in their club teams not?

Where is the fairness in that? Because they are better? N korea might have the best player in the world but if her team doesn't qualify tough? A player that misses out on the us squad gets far less than one that made it?

On the straightened arrow

I agree with the sentiment, but the whole ‘parity across the board’ is rubbish. I cannot start, say a graphic design business and then a couple of years later ask for parity in earnings with the best design companies in the world, it would come through carefully building my own business, and not jumping on the coat tails of others. The same as a player from Leyton Orient cannot demand parity in earnings to a Manchester City player.

Women’s football is growing at a staggering rate and the rewards will come but setting such high expectations, expecting such high rewards and general greed is what is killing the men’s game, it’d be terrible if this ‘parity’ starts to rot away the women’s game in its infancy.

The men’s game has also come from humble roots and has taken decades to get this kind of recognition in terms of support and finances, and I hope female footballers don’t just expect their lives to be gravy trains just because they have a ‘footballer’ hashtag next to their egos now.

Fairs fair. And I’ve fought for parity in my workplace as a managing director for both genders and sexes over the years, and strongly believe in people being treated equally but parity is one thing, entitlement is another thing entirely.

Member

So the players good enough to play for the national team should get paid but the others in their club teams not?

Where is the fairness in that? Because they are better? N korea might have the best player in the world but if her team doesn't qualify tough? A player that misses out on the us squad gets far less than one that made it?

Sorry, I may have misunderstood your original post, but I thought you were suggesting that neither male or female players should get paid for their national team and my post is explaining why I think that would be unfair on the female players. The fact that female players should be given more funding in general (outside of the world cup) is a separate issue and I thought I'd made it clear that I support more investment in all areas of the game.

SC Supporter

I agree with the sentiment, but the whole ‘parity across the board’ is rubbish. I cannot start, say a graphic design business and then a couple of years later ask for parity in earnings with the best design companies in the world, it would come through carefully building my own business, and not jumping on the coat tails of others. The same as a player from Leyton Orient cannot demand parity in earnings to a Manchester City player.

Women’s football is growing at a staggering rate and the rewards will come but setting such high expectations, expecting such high rewards and general greed is what is killing the men’s game, it’d be terrible if this ‘parity’ starts to rot away the women’s game in its infancy.

The men’s game has also come from humble roots and has taken decades to get this kind of recognition in terms of support and finances, and I hope female footballers don’t just expect their lives to be gravy trains just because they have a ‘footballer’ hashtag next to their egos now.

Fairs fair. And I’ve fought for parity in my workplace as a managing director for both genders and sexes over the years, and strongly believe in people being treated equally but parity is one thing, entitlement is another thing entirely.

Just call me Baz

Sorry, I may have misunderstood your original post, but I thought you were suggesting that neither male or female players should get paid for their national team and my post is explaining why I think that would be unfair on the female players. The fact that female players should be given more funding in general (outside of the world cup) is a separate issue and I thought I'd made it clear that I support more investment in all areas of the game.

Yes you are saying that it would be unfair on female players if international players (that play in the world cup) weren't paid. I'm pointing out that it is unfair on female players that don't get the chance. Which is 99% of female players in the world.

Basically you are saying pay the best female players from the richest countries more (the ones that get the most funding anyway and thus qualify). Than those that don't qualify, either for their national team or their national team for the world cup.

I'm saying don't pay anyone and split it so that each country can afford to play international football, training, hotels, grassroots, whatever.

The olympics used to be that no athlete got paid. Because representing your country is the payment itself.

Member

Yes you are saying that it would be unfair on female players if international players (that play in the world cup) weren't paid. I'm pointing out that it is unfair on female players that don't get the chance. Which is 99% of female players in the world.

Basically you are saying pay the best female players from the richest countries more (the ones that get the most funding anyway and thus qualify). Than those that don't qualify, either for their national team or their national team for the world cup.

I'm saying don't pay anyone and split it so that each country can afford to play international football, training, hotels, grassroots, whatever.

The olympics used to be that no athlete got paid. Because representing your country is the payment itself.

I think you are misunderstanding me, I have said on various posts that I believe FIFA and the football federations should be giving more money to the women's game worldwide at both professional and grassroots level, not just the 'best' or 'most successful' teams. Yes inevitably, those players and teams who qualify/win the world cup will get bigger rewards just like the men, it would defeat the objective of competitive sport if participating/winning were not incentivised.

Just call me Baz

I think you are misunderstanding me, I have said on various posts that I believe FIFA and the football federations should be giving more money to the women's game worldwide at both professional and grassroots level, not just the 'best' or 'most successful' teams. Yes inevitably, those players and teams who qualify/win the world cup will get bigger rewards just like the men, it would defeat the objective of competitive sport if participating/winning were not incentivised.

SC Supporter

To be fair the article in the OP does mention equal pay at the end so I can see why theres some confusion.

"Since she and other members of US Soccer challenged their federation about equal pay, she has learned how some players have to negotiate with their federations about whether they pay for internet access in hotels and receive tracksuits."

It isn't the focus of the article but throwing that line has muddied the waters a bit.

If anyone wants to read more about the equal pay issue for the USA teams this is an excellent article...

Go to page

About Us

Spurs Community is the largest online forum for Tottenham Hotspur fans from around the world. Whether you're coming to find out team news, chat with friends for a while, or want to read the latest ITK (we cover all ITK relating to Spurs in one handy place), SC welcomes you.